Frequently Asked Questions

• What rights do I have during the layoff and reduction process?
• How can I find my placement on the seniority list for the my classification?
• What is Classification Seniority?
• What is District Seniority?
• If I worked as a substitute or limited term employee in a classification, does this time count towards my seniority?
• Can I bump into a position that I've never held?
• How much notice of layoff/reduction will I get?
• What happens if I am reduced in hours or laid off?
• If I am the least senior in my classification and have not held another position in PUSD, what happens to me if I am laid off?
• What is a reemployment (recall) list?
• How long would my name remain on the reemployment (recall) list?
• If I am laid off and turn down an offer of employment, what happens to me?
• What happens if I get bumped by someone?
• If I am the most senior in a position at my site, does that mean I will stay at my site?
• Can I be told who I'd bump before I make that decision?
• If I elect to "bump" someone, can I choose where to bump?
• If a new request to fill a position comes in and I am on layoff for that position, what happens?
• If I am laid off, what happens to my name on eligibility lists or transfer lists?
• If I have questions about unemployment insurance, who do I contact?
• If I am laid off, what happens to my benefits?  Am I eligible for COBRA?
• If I am laid off from the District, what happens to my accrued vacation?
• What happens to my retirement funds if I am laid off from the District?

What rights do I have during the layoff and reduction process?
The rights and procedures governing layoffs and reductions are covered in the prior and in effect CSEA Contract, Article 15 or for SEIU, Personnel Commission Rules and Regulations, Section 60.300

 

How can I find my placement on the seniority list for the my classification?
This information is available by contacting the Personnel Commission Office at 858-521-2794.

 

What is Classification Seniority?
This is the total length of service in currently held classification plus higher classifications; based on hire date as a regular employee in the classification.

 

What is District Seniority?
This is based on initial hire date in regular classified employee status.

 

If I worked as a substitute or limited term employee in a classification, does this time count towards my seniority?
No, this time does not count.  Only time served as a regular employee counts towards seniority in a classification.

 

Can I bump into a position that I've never held?
No.  You can only bump into a classification in which you have previously served.

 

How much notice of layoff/reduction will I get?
You will receive at least 45 calendar days notice.

 

What happens if I am reduced in hours or laid off?
You should first receive notification from your Principal or Director.  This does not constitute official notification.  Official notification will come from the Personnel Commission in the form of a letter after the Board takes action.  With your official notice, you will receive an election form offering the option to either accept the layoff and go on a reemployment (recall) list or exercise your bumping rights.

 

If I am the least senior in my classification and have not held another position in PUSD, what happens to me if I am laid off?
You would be laid off and placed on a reemployment (recall) list for 39 months.

 

What is a reemployment (recall) list?
It is a list of persons who have been laid off or reduced in a particular job classification.

 

How long would my name remain on the reemployment (recall) list?
If you are laid off, your name will remain on the reemployment (recall) list for a period of 39 months.  If you accept an assignment involving less salary in lieu of layoff, your name will remain on the reemployment (recall) list for a period of 63 months.

 

If I am laid off and turn down an offer of employment, what happens to me?
If you are on the reemployment (recall) list and are offered a position of equal value as the position you were laid off from, you must accept the position or lose your reemployment rights.  If the position is of lesser value (less hours), you may decline the position and still retain your reemployment rights for 39 months.

  

What happens if I get bumped by someone?
You are extended the same rights that they had (45 day notice, election form to accept the layoff or bump, and reemployment rights).

 

If I am the most senior in a position at my site, does that mean I will stay at my site?
Not necessarily.  Your seniority in a position involves the entire classification and not just positions at your site.  Persons from other sites may displace you.

 

Can I be told who I'd bump before I make that decision?
No.  Because several employees in a classification may be affected, placement and bumping cannot begin until all the election forms have been received and order of displacement has been calculated. 

 

If I elect to "bump" someone, can I choose where to bump?
No.  Bumping is determined by seniority and you would be told where you are being assigned.

 

If a new request to fill a position comes in and I am on layoff for that position, what happens?
Persons who are layoff are placed on the reemployment (recall) list in order of their classification seniority which is in reverse order of layoff.  The reemployment (recall) list supersedes existing eligibility lists.  The laid off employee is offered the position.  If the position is equivalent to the layoff and is declined, the laid off employee loses reemployment rights.

 

If I am laid off, what happens to my name on eligibility lists or transfer lists?
Your name will not be removed from any eligibility lists or transfer lists.  Even in laid off status, you retain the rights of a regular employee which includes application and testing for promotional only recruitments.

 

If I have questions about unemployment insurance, who do I contact?
For information about unemployment, you can contact the California State Employment Development Department or visit their website at www.edd.ca.gov 

 

If I am laid off, what happens to my benefits?  Am I eligible for COBRA?
For answers to questions related to health benefits, you can contact the Benefits office at 858-521-2897.

 

If I am laid off from the District, what happens to my accrued vacation?
For all laid off employees, all earned and unused vacation is paid in the final salary warrant.  If you do not want your vacation paid off, you can contact your Payroll Technician.

 

What happens to my retirement funds if I am laid off from the District?
You can contact CalPERS for available options at 800-225-7377 or at www.calpers.ca.gov